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Spring Perennials
Spring Color Spring Color

Spring Perennial Color

by Rod Smith
Oregon Certified Nursery Professional

© 1999-2009 Rodney A. Smith
This information may be downloaded and printed as long as
it is stored and printed in its entirety with no changes.
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Low = under 8 inches, Medium = 8 inches to 30 inches, Tall = over 30 inches

Low Spring Perennials

Scientific name       USDA Zone Height X Width      Description
  Common name              Water  Exposure
Ajuga reptans                    3 5" X 12"  Evergreen. Blue flowers. Green     
  Carpet Bugle                Med. Sun-Part    bronze purple or varieg. leaves. 
Anemone blanda                   4 4" X 6"   Bulb. Single blue, pink or white   
  Windflower                  Low  Part Sun    flower in March.                 
Arabis caucasica                 3 4" X 1'   White flowers on fleshy leaves in  
  Rock Cress                  Med. Sun         March to April. Good rock garden.
Arenaria montana                 4 4" X 18"  Low mound of white flowers from    
  Montana Sandwort            Med. Sun-Part    March to April. Likes lime.      
Armeria maritima                 3 10" X 1'  Native evergreen. Mound of leaves. 
  Sea Thrift                  Med. Sun-Part    Pink or white flowers April-June.
Asarum caudatum                  4 4" X 2'   Native. Large, heart shaped leaves 
  Wild Ginger                 High Shade-Part  hide brown flowers early Spring. 
Asarum species                   4 6" X 18"  Groundcover. Glossy leaves hide    
  Wild Ginger                 High Shade-Part  small red flowers.               
Aubrieta deltoidea               4 5" X 15"  Low mat of red to blue flowers in  
  Rock Cress                  Med. Sun-Part    March to May. Good in rock walls.
Aurinia saxatilis                4 10" X 1'  Evergreen. Green gray leaves with  
  Basket Of Gold              Med. Sun-Part    yellow flowers from April-June.  
Bellis perennis,                  3 5" X 6"   Red, rose, and white flowers in    
  English Daisy               Med. Sun-Part    April and May. Good in lawns.    
Bergenia cordifolia              3 15" X 2'  Evergreen. Large heart shaped      
  Heartleaf Bergenia          Med. Sun-Part    leaves. Pink flowers in Spring.  
Calceolaria biflora              6 12" X 8"  Evergreen. Pouch-like flowers of   
  Pocketbook Flower           Med. Shade-Part  yellow and red in May and June.  
Ceanothus gloriosus              7 1' X 3'   Evergreen. Blue flowers in late    
  Point Reyes Ceanothus       Low  Sun         spring. Good groundcover.        
Convallaria majalis              3 6" X 15"  Small fragrant bell-shaped white   
  Lily-of-the-Valley          Med. Shade-Part  flowers in May. Poisonous.       
Cornus canadensis,                2 4" X 2'   Deciduous. White flowers in        
  Bunchberry                  Med. Sun-Shade   spring. Red berries in fall.     
Cotoneaster dammeri              5 1' X 3'   Evergreen. White flowers in        
  Bearberry Cotoneaster       Low  Sun-Shade   spring. Orange berries in fall.  
Crocus vernus                    3 4" X 4"   Bulb. White, pink, blue, or purple 
  Dutch Crocus                Low  Sun-Part    flowers in February to March.    
Epimedium grandiflorum           4 1' X 3'   Evergreen. Red white pink or       
  Bishop's Hat                Med. Part Shade  violet flowers. Bronze leaves.   
Fragaria 'Lipstick'              2 4" X 24"  Evergreen groundcover. Large, rose 
  Lipstick Strawberry         Med. Sun-Part    colored flowers in Spring.       
Fragaria chiloensis              4 6" X 1'   Evergreen. White flowers in spring.
  Wild Strawberry             Med. Sun-Part    Small red berries. Groundcover.  
Freesia species                  3 15" X 1'  Bulb. Fragrant flowers in many     
  Freesia                     Med. Sun-Part    colors in May. Good cut flower.  
Galanthus nivalis                3 8" X 8"   Bulb. Dainty white bells in Feb. to
  Snowdrop                    Med. Shade-Part  March. Naturalizes under trees.  
Galium odoratum                  4 8" X 2'   Small white flowers on dense mat   
  Sweet Woodruff              Med. Shade       of green from May to August.     
Gaultheria procumbens            3 1' X 3'   Evergreen. Pink bell flowers in    
  Wintergreen                 Med. Sun-Shade   spring. Red edible berries.      
Heucherella tiarelloides         4 1' X 2'   Hybrids between Heuchera and Tia-  
  Foam Flower                 Med. Part shade  rella. Colorful foliage.         
Hyacinthus orientalis            4 8" X 6"   bulb. Very fragrant spikes of blue,
  Hyacinth                    Low  Sun-Shade   white, or purple in April to May.
Iberis sempervirens              3 1' X 1'   Evergreen. White flowers in April  
  Candytuft                   Med. Sun         cover low mound of small leaves. 
Iris "Dutch Hybrid"              5 8" X 5"   Bulb. Slender stalks topped by iris
  Dutch Iris                  Med. Sun-Part    flower in many colors in April.  
Iris tenax                       5 15" X 18" Native. Purple flowers with yellow 
  Oregon iris                 Low  Sun-Part    or white. Drought tolerant.      
Leontipodium alpinus               6" X 8"   White woolly leaves. Flowers and   
  Edelweis                    Med. Sun-Part    floral leaves in May to July.    
Leucojum vernum                    6" X 6"   Bulb. Clusters of white bells in   
  Snowflake                   Med. Shade       March. Naturalizes under trees.  
Lewisia cotyledon                3 10" X 5"  Evergreen. Pink to orange flowers  
  Lewisia                     Low  Sun-Part    in May above rosette of leaves.  
Lithodora diffusa                6 5" X 3'   Evergreen. Brilliant blue flowers  
  Lithospermum                Med. Sun-Part    May to July.                     
Muscari armeniacum               2 6" X 6"   Bulb. Bright blue flowers on 6"    
  Grape Hyacinth              Low  Sun-Part    spikes in March and April.       
Myosotis sylvatica               5 8" X 8"   Blue, pink, or white flowers May to
  Forget-Me-Not               Med. Sun-Shade   September. Spreads easily.       
Oxalis oregana                   3 7" X 30"  Native. Excellent groundcover for  
  Native Shamrock             Med. Shade-Part  shade. White flowers April-June. 
Pachysandra terminalis           4 6" X 1'   Evergreen. White flower spikes.    
  Japanese Spurge             High Shade-Part  Dark green leaves. Groundcover.  
Papaver nudicaule                2 14" X 10" 3-4" flowers in many colors from   
  Iceland Poppy               Low  Sun-Part    April to September. Good cut.    
Phlox subulata                   2 4" X 1'   Evergreen. Dense mat of color in   
  Creeping Phlox              Med. Sun         May. Needs good drainage.        
Ranunculus asiaticus             4 15" X 1'  Large yellow, orange, red, pink, or
  Persian Ranunculus          Med. Sun         white flowers in April to June.  
Rhodohypoxis baurii              4 4" X 4"   Mass of rose red flowers in spring 
  Rhodohypoxis                Med. Sun         and summer. Good rock garden.    
Sagina sublata                   4 2" X 1'   Dense mat of dark green with small 
  Irish Moss                  Med. Sun-Part    white flowers in spring.         
Sagina sublata 'Aurea'           4 2" X 1'   Dense mat of light green with small
  Scotch Moss                 Med. Sun-Part    white flowers in spring.         
Saponaria species                3 1' X 3'   Dark, oval leaves with pink flowers
  Soapwort                    Low  Sun         in spring. Good groundcover.     
Saxifraga species                7 1' X 18"  Small white star-like flowers with 
  Rockfoil                    Med. Sun-Part    a reddish tinge in April-June.   
Sisyrinchium angustifolium       3 1' X 1'   Green or bluish leaves. Purple &   
  Blue-eyed Grass             Med. Sun         yellow flowers in May to June.   
Sisyrinchium idahoensis          2 12" X 12" Native. Thin, grass-like leaves.   
  Idaho Blue-eyed Grass       Low  Sun         Purple flowers on tip of stalk.  
Tiarella cordifolia              3 8" X 2'   Fast spreading groundcovers. White 
  Foamflower                  High Shade-Part  to pink flowers.                 
Trillium species                 4 1' X 6"   Native. Three leaves with white    
  Trillium                    High Shade-Part  flowers aging to pink in March.  
Verbena hyb. 'Homestead Purple'  7 10" X 3'  Evergreen. Purple flowers spring to
  Homestead Purple Verbena    Med. Sun         fall. Good groundcover.          
Vinca minor                      4 1' X 3'   Evergreen. Blue, white or purple   
  Periwinkle                  Med. Sun-Shade   flowers in spring and summer.    
Viola glabella                   6 8" X 8"   Native. Small heart-shaped flowers.
  Yellow Wood Violet          Med. Shade-Part  Small yellow flowers in spring.  
Viola odorata                    6 6" X 1'   Dark purple flowers and a lovely   
  Sweet Violet                Med. Sun-Shade   fragrance in February to April.  
Waldestenia fragarioides         2 3" X 8"   Evergreen. Strawberry-like plant.  
  Barren Strawberry           Med. Sun-Part    Yellow flowers in spring         

Medium Spring Perennials

Scientific name       USDA Zone Height X Width      Description
  Common name              Water  Exposure
Anemone coronaria                6 2' X 15"  Bulb. Red, blue, purple or white   
  Wind Flower                 Med. Part shade  flowers May and June. Good cut.  
Aquilegia species                3 2' X 18"  Red white or blue flowers in May.  
  Columbine                   Med. Sun-Shade   Attracts hummingbirds/butterflies
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi          3 12" X 8'  Native evergreen. Pink flowers.    
  Kinnikinnick                Low  Sun-Part    Red berries. Good groundcover.   
Brunnera macrophylla             3 18" X 1'  Airy clusters of blue flowers above
  Siberian Bugloss            High Part Shade  heart shaped leaves in March-June
Camassia quamash                 6 18" X 12" Native bulb. Blue flowers in       
  Common Camas                High Sun         Spring.                          
Chrysanthemum coccinneum         3 30" X 2'  Finely divided leaves. Pink, red,  
  Painted Daisy               Med. Sun         or white flowers in May.         
Dianthus species                 3 1-3' X 1' Low mound or tall cut flower in    
  Carnation or Pinks          Med. Sun-Part    pink, red and white May to July. 
Dicentra formosa                 3 10" X 18" Native. Dark fern-like leaves.     
  Western Bleeding Heart      Low  Shade-Part  Light pink flowers April to June.
Dicentra spectabilis             4 30" X 3'  Dainty pink or white flowers in    
  Bleeding Heart              Med. Shade-Part  April to June.                   
Doronicum cordatum               4 18" X 12" Low mound. Yellow daisy flowers on 
  Leopard's Bane              Med. Part Shade  tall stems April-June. Good cut. 
Endymion non-scriptus (Scilla)   4 15" X 12" Bulb. Spikes of blue, white or pink
  Wood Hyacinth               Med. Sun-Part    flowers in May. Easy to grow.    
Euphorbia species                6 2' X 2'   Green to purple leaves. Chartreuse 
  Spurge                      Low  Sun         to burgandy flowers.             
Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora     5 18" X 18" Fronds are reddish in spring, dark 
  Autumn Fern                 Low  Shade-Part  green in summer.                 
Fritillaria species              5 2-4' X 1' Bulb. Unusual flowers of orange,   
  Fritillaria                 Med. Sun-Part    yellow or checkered purple/white.
Gaultheria shallon               6 2' X 3'   Evergreen. Pink bell flowers in    
  Salal                       Med. Sun-Shade   spring. Black edible berries.    
Helleborus orientalis            6 18" X 1'  Leathery dark green leaves. White, 
  Lenten Rose                 High Shade-Part  pink, red, yellow, green flowers.
Heuchera sanguinea               3 2' X 18"  Evergreen. Tall stalks of dainty   
  Coral Bells                 Med. Sun-Part    coral flowers in April-August.   
Libertia peregrinans             8 18" x 18" Narrow leaves are bright orange on 
  Orange Libertia             Med. Sun-Shade   the edges. White flowers Spring. 
Ligularia tussilaginea(Farfugium 8 2' X 2'   Thick leaves with yellow spots.    
  Leopard Plant               Med. Sun-Part    Yellow flowers. Good indoors.    
Lychnis coronaria                6 2' X 18"  Silky white foliage. Magenta to    
  Rose campion                Low  Sun-Part    crimson flowers from May to July.
Mertensia virginica              3 20" X 1'  Native. Pink turning to blue petti-
  Virginia Bluebells          Med. Shade-Part  coat flowers in April and May.   
Narcissus species                4 2' X 1'   Bulb. Yellow, orange, or white flo-
  Daffodils                   Low  Sun-Part    wers in March to April. Easy.    
Paeonia lactiflora               3 2' X 2'   Ever popular plant in many colors  
  Bush Peony                  Med. Sun-Part    in May. Good cut flowers.        
Polygonatum biflorum             3 30" X 2'  Pairs of greenish white flowers on 
  Solomon's Seal              Med. Shade-Part  arching stems. Blue-black berries
Rosmarinus officinalis           8 2' X 5'   Aromatic leaves with blue flowers  
  Rosemary                    Low  Sun         in spring. Needs good drainage.  
Tulilpa species                  4 6-24" X 8"Bulb. Many colors of flowers in    
  Tulip                       Med. Sun         March to May. Needs good drainage
Zantedeschia species             2 2' X 2'   White, yellow or pink flowers in   
  Calla Lily                  High Sun-Part    May.                             

Tall Spring Perennials

Scientific name       USDA Zone Height X Width      Description
  Common name              Water  Exposure
Aster frikartii                  4 3' X 2'   Large lavender blue daisies from   
  Frikart's Aster             Med. Sun         May to frost if deadheaded.      
Delphinium hybrids               3 3-6' X 2' Tall spikes of blue, lavender, or  
  Larkspur                    Med. Sun         white in June. Good cut.         
Dierama pulcherrimum             8 5' X 5'   Sword-like leaves. Purple to white 
  Wand Flower                 High Sun         bell-shaped flowers May-June     
Digitalis purpurea               4 4' X 1'   Spike of white to pink spotted     
  Pink Foxglove               Med. Part shade  flowers. Leaves are poisonous.   
Euryops pectinatus               8 5' X 3'   Bright yellow daisy-like flowers   
  Golden Shrub Daisy          Low  Sun         March-October. Needs protection. 
Hesperis matronalis              3 3' X 2'   Old fashioned plant. Fragrant lav- 
  Dame's Rocket               Med. Sun-Part    ender or pink flowers May-June   
Incarvillea delavayi             5 3' X 2'   Clusters of 3" long purple trumpet 
  Hardy Gloxinia              Med. Sun-Part    inMay-July.                      
Iris ensata                      4 3' X 2'   Large white, lavender, purple or   
  Japanese Iris               High Sun-Part    blue flowers in May. Wet or dry. 
Iris hybrids                     4 3' X 2'   Many sizes and colors of flowers in
  Bearded Iris                Med. Sun         May and June.                    
Iris siberica                    4 3' X 2'   White, yellow, lavender, purple or 
  Siberian Iris               High Sun-Part    blue flowers in May. Wet or dry. 
Paeonia suffruticosa             5 5' X 5'   Large flowers up to 1' across in   
  Tree Peony                  Med. Sun-Part    many colors in May. Some double. 
Rodgersia aesculifolia           4 5' X 3'   Creamy white flowers late spring to
  Rodger's Flower             High Shade-Part  early summer. Huge fingered leaf.
Smilacina racemosa               3 3' X 3'   Tall plumes of fuzzy white flowers.
  False Solomon's Seal        High Shade-Part  Red & white speckled fruit.      
Thalictrum species               4 3' X 2'   Airy plants with fuzzy flowers in  
  Meadow Rue                  High Sun-Part    white, pink or purple.           

Common and Scientific Names of Trees, Shrubs, Vines & Perennials
Spring Perennial Color| Summer Perennial Color| Fall Perennial Color
Winter and All Year Perennial Color| All Perennials in Alphabetical Order

Spring Shrub Color| Summer Shrub Color| Fall Shrub Color
Winter Shrub Color| All Year Shrubs| All Shrubs in Alphabetical Order

Spring Tree Color| Summer Tree Color| Fall Tree Color
Winter Tree Color| All Trees in Alphabetical Order

Spring and Summer Vine Color| Fall and Winter Vine Color and All Year Vines
All Vines in Alphabetical Order

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